Recap: Dodgers’ Offense Struggles Vs. Braves In Series Loss

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves played a Mother’s Day rubber match after splitting the first two games of the series.

The game felt like a repeat of Saturday as the Dodgers struggled on offense with just one hit through the seven innings following some early struggles from their starting pitcher. With the near repeat, it also led the Braves taking the series with their second straight win.

Braves 7, Dodgers 2: key takeaways

Justin Wrobleski’s day ruined by poor inning

Justin Wrobleski had a mostly excellent game, but one poor inning put the Dodgers behind early. The Braves scored four runs in the second inning, starting with three consecutive singles to put them up 1-0.

Wrobleski could have kept the Braves to just the one, but a poor throw to second base on a comebacker to the mound prevented the Dodgers from turning a double play. After that, a double drove in three more runs for the Braves.

But the left-hander settled in after that double and retired 16 straight hitters to get the Dodgers through seven innings. He went back out for the eighth and allowed a leadoff single before getting a double play, but then allowed a home run to extend the Braves’ lead.

Wrobleski was back on the mound in the ninth and allowed a leadoff homer, and he was unable to throw a complete game after hitting a batter with two outs. The newly-recalled Wyatt Mills recorded the final out of the ninth inning, but not before allowing the hit batter to score.

The southpaw’s day ended with 8.2 innings pitched, allowing seven runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts and one walk. Wrobleski’s 8.2 innings pitched set a new career-high, and his seven strikeouts tied his career best mark.

Dodgers offensive struggles continue

The Dodgers offense was non-existent for most of the day once again. They tallied just one hit through the first seven innings, which came in the first inning with two outs, and they failed to capitalize on any of their chances.

The offense still worked six walks, which gave them chances to score, but they went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position and left seven runners stranded. They had chances to score in the first, sixth and seventh innings.

In the sixth with two outs, the Dodgers loaded the bases with three straight walks before Max Muncy crushed a line drive to the outfield. However, Eli White made a jumping catch while going face-first into the wall to take a hit away and keep the Dodgers off the board. Muncy threw his hands up in disbelielf, and it was a reminder of how things are going for this offense.

But Muncy made sure the ball wasn’t caught in his next at-bat as he crushed a ball over the fence after Kyle Tucker worked a walk. It was enough to make sure the Dodgers weren’t shut out, but didn’t ignite the offense for a comeback.